Security system for article handling apparatus

ABSTRACT

In an automatic article handling system, the article carrying conveyor or carriage includes sensing means for sensing characteristics of an article to be conveyed. If a given characteristic exceeds a predetermined threshold, the conveyor is automatically disabled requiring manual intervention to restart it which protects stored articles from said given characteristic. In a magnetic record document system, the given characteristic may be a magnetic field exceeding a predetermined threshold external to the article to be conveyed. Such external magnetic field could be capable of altering magnetic documents stored in the article handling system. In another version, the given characteristic could be weight or other undesired phenomena exceeding a given threshold.

United States Patent n91 Laman 1 1 SECURITY SYSTEM FOR ARTICLE HANDLINGAPPARATUS 175 lnvcnlorz William H. Laman, Boulder. (kilo.

I73] Assignec: International Business Machine Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.

Y [22] Filed: June 9, 1972 [21] Appl. N0.: 261,172

[52] US. Cl 318/563, 209/111.8, 242/181,

318/574 [51] Int. Cl. G051) 9/02 [58] Field 01 Search 340/213 R, 421;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,941,738 6/1960, Burke A242/181 318/565 X 3,588,658 6/1971 Van Der Slyus [111 34,749,993 1 July31, 1973 3,604,373 9/1971 Crowley et al 109/38 3,629,822 12/1971 Johnson179/1002 B X 3/1972 Sather et al 270/58 Primary ExaminerRichard A.Schacher Attorney-Herbert F. Somer'meyer et al.

[57] ABSTRACT In an automatic article handling system, the articlecarrying conveyor or carriage includes sensing means for sensingcharacteristics of an article to be conveyed. If

a given characteristic exceeds a predetermined thresh- I old, theconveyor is automatically disabled requiring manual intervention torestart it which protects stored articles from said givencharacteristic. In a magnetic record document system, the givencharacteristic may be a magnetic field exceeding a predeterminedthreshold external to the article to be conveyed. Such external magneticfield could be capable of altering magnetic documents stored in thearticle handling system. in another version, the given characteristiccould be weight or other undesired phenomena exceeding a giventhreshold.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures CONTROLS DETECTOR PAIENIEUJUL 1 SHEET 1 (IF2 FIG. 1

CONTROLS (3,548,284)

FIG. 2

FIG. 3

MOTOR CURRENT SECURITY SYSTEM FOR ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to secure article storageand retrieval systems of the automatic type, and particularly to thosearticle handling systems adapted to handle erasable records.

Automatic article handling apparatus is susceptible to damage oralteration by intentionally inserted articles capable of being handledby the system which exhibits characteristics detrimental to storedarticles or the article handling system itself. While such anintentional intrusion is to be avoided, sabotage operations,particularly by those individuals somewhat familiar with the articlehandling system, could avoid most security procedures and introducearticles exhibiting detrimentalcharacteristics into the system.

Of particular interest is the data processing industry which reliesheavily on magnetic records for storage of data bases, programs, and asan input media. Such records are magnetically alterable eitherintentionally or unintentionally by external magnetic fields either froma magnetic transducer, a permanent magnet held in the proximity of themedia, or an electromagnet. Because of the values ascribed to therecords recordedon such media, it is of utmost importance that theintegrity of the recorded information be maintained at an exceptionallyhigh value. Undesired magnetic radiation can alter the record such thatthe data is no longer retrievable. The susceptibility of such recordswhen recorded using nonsaturating recording techniques may be higherthan those utilizing saturable recording. Nonsaturating recordingtechniques are usually found in the higher density recording systems,i.e., those systems usually associated with high-performance dataprocessing systems. This means the data contained in such records mayhave a higher value than those using saturating magnetic recording and,hence, should be more closely protected.

Many present-day data processing systems rely on manual transportationof the tape volumes, disk packs, or other magnetic media fromv a set ofstorage compartments to a read/write station. Facilities have beenprovided for preventing access to storage compartments through the useof Hall Effect detectors; that is, a safe containing a plurality ofmagnetic records would not be openable in the presence of a magneticfield which would tend to erase or destroy the magnetic recordscontained within the safe. Even at this, upon removal of the recordmedia from the safe, there is an exposure that subsequently generatedstray fields'could inadvertently or intentionally erase the recordsbefore data processing operations could retrieve the information.

In automatic magnetic media libraries, such as that shown in Burke etal., U.S. Pat. No. 2,941,738, in addition to erasing or altering asingle record volume such as a reel of tape, a magnet could be disposedin the XY carriage of the Burke et al tape library and, under programmedcontrol, alter each and every tape volume contained in the tapecompartments of the library; that is, a permanent magnet disposed in atape container could be loaded onto the XY carriage with the carriageprogrammed to access or pass by every storage compartment therebyexposing every tape reel to the effects of the permanent magnet fields.

In other article handling systems, similar problems can be encountered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toprovide an improved article handling system which automatically detectsintrusion of an article exhibiting undesired characteristics andprevents handling of such article within a system.

According to the present invention, an article storage and retrievalapparatus has a plurality of article storage compartments with articleaccessing means relatively movable with respect thereto. Articletransfer ports are provided for exchanging articles outside of theapparatus. On the accessing means capable of containing at least one ofthe articles, there is provided sensing means for sensing a givencharacteristic of an article when carried and, upon detecting the givencharacteristics exceeding a given threshold, the accessing means isdeactivated. Such detection may occur when the accessing means receivesthe article or while transporting the article.

In a document processing apparatus-constructed as set forth above, thegiven characteristic may be an external magnetic field; and the sensingmeans may be a so-called magnetic reed switch which is responsive to theexternal magnetic field to open or close an electric circuit whichcontrols the accessing means. In other article handling systems, othercharacteristics can be sensed for controlling the operation of thestorage and retrieval apparatus in accordance with the invention.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustratedin the accompanying drawing.

' THE DRAWING ing control for an accessing means in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a simplified perspective view of an article carrying mechanismwith which the present invention i may be practiced.

FIG. 5 is a simplified and diagrammatic showing of an electromagneticpicker assembly usable with the FIG. 4 illustrated apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a simplified diagrammatic showing of a second embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION has a plurality of storage compartments 16 arrangedin storage walls or 11. The tape volumes or tape cartridges usable withthe present invention are preferably of the type shown in U. S. Pat.(Rinkleib) No. 3,631,971, or suitable modifications thereof. That is,itis preferred that the media cartridge be relatively small, for example,roughly two inches square and three inches long. Such media, whenrecorded, exhibits a small or limited external magnetic field enablingsensing of recorded signals, as is well known.

In one system incorporating the invention, electromagnetic selection ofa cartridge 19 from the I/O port 17 or any of the compartments 16 uses amagnetizable or magnetic disk 20 disposed at one end of the cartridgeand an electromagnet as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The detector asdescribed herein will 'alsodetect objectional stray magnetic fields fromsuch electromagnet.

All of cartridges 19 in storage compartments 16 have magnetic disk 20facing toward track 13. Accordingly, XY carriage 12 has a mechanism toaccess or storecartridges 19 with magnetic disk 20facing toward track13. This means the orientation of the cartridge in wall 10 is oppositeto the orientation of the cartridge in wall 11. Accordingly, XY carriagel2 swivels with the car tridge accessing mechanism generally denoted bynumeral 21 being pivotably secured on rotatable platform 22, as bestseen in FIG. 4.

In accordance with the presentinvention, asensing element such asmagnetic reed switch 24, is suitably mounted upon accessing mechanism21. Mechanism 21 fetches cartridge 19 from I/O port 17 or equivalents orany of the storage compartments l6 and places it on carriage 12 fortransport to another location such as described in Beach et al. US. Pat.No. 3,584,284. Upon the cartridge being completely inserted in accessingmechanism 21, magnetic reed switch 24 senses the external magnetic fieldof the cartridge 19 to be transported. If the magnetic field exceeds thethresholdidetermined by the characteristics of magnetic reed switch 24,the switch opens an electrical circuit under influence of the externalmagnetic field. Such open circuit is detected by detector 27 with analarm signal being sent to controls 14. Such-an alarm signal and controlof XY carriage 12 is best understood by next referring to FIGS. 2 and 3.

When arrays 10 or 11 have a plurality of input ports 17, placing sensingmeans or reed switch 24 on the carriage simplifies circuit design. Italso enables the sensing means to detect generation of a magnetic fieldafter an article is being transported. For example, an inertial switchcould connect a battery to an electromagnet or a radio signal could beused to actuate an electromagnet after intrusion into the system.

In FIG. 2, positioning controls 30 constructed in accordance with theBeach at al patent, supra, drive digital analog circuit or converter 31which may favorably correspond to the D-to-A converter 160 of the Beachet al. patent. The analog output of converter 31 is supplied throughpower amplifier 32 (compare with the Beach et al. amplifier 165) todrive XY carriage motor 33. In the FIG. 2 illustration, the +V voltagesupply for power amplifier 32 is supplied through power-switchtransistor 25, thence to amplifier 32. Reed switch 24, when open (notunder the influence of an external magnetic field above the selectedthreshold), permits +V supply to actuate transistor 25 to currentconduction for operating motor 33. Accordingly, XY carriage 12 can beoperated under controls 14. As soon as the magnetic field is encounteredby reed switch 24, such as would be provided by a powerful permanentmagnet inserted into a cartridge 19, reed switch 24 closes supplying Vfor making transistor 25 nonconductive, thereby removing power fromamplifier 32. This disables motor 33 preventing any movement of XYcarriage. An elevator motor (not shown) effecting vertical motion topicker mechanism 21 can be similarly controlled. Dynamic braking ofmotor 33 for preventing any motion whatsoever of carriage 12 can beprovided in accordance with the teaching of H. E. Van Winkle in the IBMTECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN, Volume 14, No. 2, July 1971, on Page 384.

An alarm may be sounded by adding, detector27 to sense the voltageat 26.If there is positive voltage, detector 27 suppliesa normallsignal.However, if point 26 is negative, detector 27 suppliesan alarm signal tosound an alarm. Appropriate manual intervention or CPU control of thearticle handling system can thenbe provided. The alarm, forexample,could trigger an interruption 'signal to the controlling data processingfor enabling the data processor to automatically exercise control overthe article handling system for preventing any operation whatsoeveruntil appropriate manual intervention has, been completed. i r

- In the event transistor 25 does not have the current conductingcapabilities required by amplifier 32, a

relay may be interposed. For example, in FIG. 3, amplifier 32 suppliesits motor-driving current through the normally open relay contacts 29 tomotor 33. Relay coil 28 closes contacts 29 as long'as reed switch 24.has its contacts open, i.e., outside the effect of a strong externalmagnetic field. Upon power off, or upon the detection of an externalmagnetic field, contacts 29 open causing motor 33 to become inactive.Transistor 25A actuates relay coil 28 in the same manner that transistor 25 conveyed power to amplifier 32.

Referring next to FIG. 4, a simplified perspective view illustrates apivotal accessing mechanism having sensing element 24 mounted thereon.Platform 22 is mounted on vertically movable carriage 38 which, in turn,is mounted on a horizontally movable carriage (not shown). Verticalguide rod 39 guides accessing mechanism 21 along a desired verticalpath. Each cartridge being transferred is received between a pair ofoutwardly I extending. bifurcated resilient cartridgereceiving fingers42 and 43. Reciprocating electromagnet 34, shown in FIG. 5, is onreciprocating carriage 35 movable along guideways 36 and 37. To fetch acartridge or store same, carriage 35 is moved against stops 40, theelectromagnet energized by energizer 49 (FIG. 5), and the electromagnetassembly moved to abut stops 41, the cartridge traveling position.Actuation of carriage 35 is not further described, because any suitablemeans can be used therefor.

Once the cartridge (not shown) is secured between retaining fingers 42and 43, photoelectric sensing means (not shown) may indicate to thecontrol circuit that a cartridge is within the mechanism 21. At thistime, reed switch 24 is continuously sensing for external magneticfields for controlling the electrical power to the carriage motors asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3. An electronic detector-amplifier 1 (not shown)may be mounted on the back side of mounting circuit board 45. Suitablecabling extends between the carriage and the control circuits, detailsof which are not pertinent to the practice of the present invention.

Accessing mechanism 21 being pivotally secured on platform 22 hasdetent' 46 engagable with a detent receiving means (not shown) ontheopposite side for aligning electromagnet 34 with a storage compartmentfor accessing or storing a cartridge. Suitable motors are mounted on thecarriage for rotating the accessing mechanism, actuating electromagnetcarriage 35, and moving platform 22 vertically.

The electromagnet is diagrammatically shown in FIG. 5. lt includesmagnetic back plate 50 with an an nular outer pole 51 extending aroundthe entire assembly. A rod-shaped inner pole 52 extends coaxially ofouter pole 51, forming annular gap 53 between the two pole pieces. Theannular gap with the pole configurations limits the external magneticfield under normal operation to that being immediately proximate to themagnetic disk shown in dotted line form. Winding 54 extends around innerpole 52 for supplying selective magnetic energy for securingthecartridge disk 20 to the electromagnet pole faces. Energizer oramplifier 49 selectively supplies current to coil 54 in response tosuitable control signals from controls 14 (FIG. 1). The generation ofsuch control signals is not further described.

Referring next to FIG. 6, a second embodiment of the present inventionis illustrated. Positioning controls 70 control pivotal accessingmechanism 71 to exchange cartridges with loader 72. When a cartridge isreceived in accessing mechanism 71 from loader 72, mechanism 71 rotatesclockwise toward continuously rotating storage carousel 74. The timingis such, as controlled by control 70, that as the cartridge holder 75reaches a position adjacent carousel 74, ,the cartridge can be ejectedon the fly to the carousel. In a similar manner, cartridge holder 76 canreceive a cartridge from carousel 74 for depositing in loader 72. Bothcartridge holders 75 and 76 have a sensing element such as reed switch24 supplying alarm signals over lines 80 to control 70. Control 70, upondetecting an excessive external magnetic field in either holder 75 or76, de-

energizes accessing mechanism 71 protecting the records contained incarousel 74. The details of on-thefly exchange of cartridges with loader72 and carousel 74 are not pertinent to the practice of this inventionand are not further described for that reason.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to apreferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

5 What is claimed is:

1. An article storage and retrieval apparatus having a plurality ofarticle storage compartments, article accessing means, an article 1/0means, means effecting 3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 whereinsaid ar- I ticles being transported successfully by said accessing meansexhibit said given characteristic always below a given threshold, andsaid control means being responsive to said sensing means indicatingsaid given characteristic above said given threshold to inhibitoperation, and detecting said given characteristic below said giventhreshold to permit operation of said accessing means.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3 wherein said given characteristicis an external magnetic field.

5. The subject matter set forth in claim 4 wherein said articleconstitutes a recorded magnetic record member erasable by an externalmagnetic field.

6. The subject matter of claim 5 wherein said sensing means includes amagnetic reed switch disposed on said accessing means; and

means establishing an article carrying position on said accessing meansimmediately proximate to said sensing means.

7. The subject matter of claim 6 further including motor control meansand power supply means and electrical means includingsaid reed switchelectrically interposed betweensaid power supply meansand said motorvcontrol means for turning off the motor control means whenever said reedswitch is actuated.

8. The subject matter of claim 7 further including electromagnet meanson said accessing means and a magnetic disk on each of saidarticlesadapted to be engaged with said electromagnetic means, and meansactuating said electromagnetic means for picking said cartridge byelectromagnetic attraction to said disk, and said electromagnetic meanshaving an external field less than said given threshold.

9. A control for an article handling mechanism having a movable XYcarriage with 'an article carrying por tion, j 1

the improved control including incombination:

motive control means forv controlling said XY car riage; 7 power supplymeans;

. electrical connecting means including sensing means ,on the carriagedisposed in juxtaposition to said article carrying portion andelectrically interposed between said power supply means and .said motivecontrol means; and I r t X I said sensing means having threshold meansresponsive to a given phenomenon which is a product of 7 said articleand being in proximate relationto said article carrying portion toeffectively connect or disconnect said motive control means wheneversaid phenomenon is below or above a given thresh- 101d, respectively. i

10. The control set forth in claim 9 wherein said phenomenon is amagnetic field and said threshold element is a magnetic reed switchactuable by a given strength magnetic field.

1. An article storage and retrieval apparatus having a plurality ofarticle storage compartments, article accessing means, an article I/Omeans, means effecting relative movement of said accessing means andsaid compartments and I/O means for automatically exchanging articlestherebetween, the improvement including in combination: means on saidaccessing means for receiving a cartridge capable of containing one ofsaid articles; sensing means in said apparatus sensing for a givencharacteristic of an article inside said cartridge; and control meansresponsive to said sensing means indicating said given characteristic toinhibit operation of said accessing means.
 2. The apparatus set forth inclaim 1 wherein said sensing means is on said accessing means.
 3. Theapparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said articles being transportedsuccessfully by said accessing means exhibit said given characteristicalways below a given threshold, and said control means being responsiveto said sensing means indicating said given characteristic above saidgiven threshold to inhibit operation, and detecting said givencharacteristic below said given threshold to permit operation of saidaccessing means.
 4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3 wherein saidgiven characteristic is an external magnetic field.
 5. The subjectmatter set forth in claim 4 wherein said article constitutes a recordedmagnetic record member erasable by an external magnetic field.
 6. Thesubject matter of claim 5 wherein said sensing means includes a magneticreed switch disposed on said accessing means; and means establishing anarticle carrying position on said accessing means immediately proximateto said sensing means.
 7. The subject matter of claim 6 furtherincluding motor control means and power supply means and electricalmeans including said reed switch electrically interposed between saidpower supply means and said motor coNtrol means for turning off themotor control means whenever said reed switch is actuated.
 8. Thesubject matter of claim 7 further including electromagnet means on saidaccessing means and a magnetic disk on each of said articles adapted tobe engaged with said electromagnetic means, and means actuating saidelectromagnetic means for picking said cartridge by electromagneticattraction to said disk, and said electromagnetic means having anexternal field less than said given threshold.
 9. A control for anarticle handling mechanism having a movable XY carriage with an articlecarrying portion, the improved control including in combination: motivecontrol means for controlling said XY carriage; power supply means;electrical connecting means including sensing means on the carriagedisposed in juxtaposition to said article carrying portion andelectrically interposed between said power supply means and said motivecontrol means; and said sensing means having threshold means responsiveto a given phenomenon which is a product of said article and being inproximate relation to said article carrying portion to effectivelyconnect or disconnect said motive control means whenever said phenomenonis below or above a given threshold, respectively.
 10. The control setforth in claim 9 wherein said phenomenon is a magnetic field and saidthreshold element is a magnetic reed switch actuable by a given strengthmagnetic field.